Man Who Staged Dog Fighting Ring Arrested

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee man has been arrested and charged after police say he was responsible for staging a dog fighting ring.

On May 3, Milwaukee police officers were dispatched to 2637 North 52nd St. just east of Wauwatosa after receiving multiple calls reporting an active dog fight at that location.

Messiah Oliver was at the residence when officers arrived. Oliver told officers that he is the owner of the injured dog and went on to state, “I didn’t do anything.”

Upon arrival at that location officers also observed blood spatter and an injured dog. The dog was bleeding, limping, and had visible puncture wounds. The callers noted that there were adults and children present at the dog fight and that people were yelling and encouraging the dogs to fight, according to the criminal complaint.

According to the criminal complaint, when police asked Oliver what was going on, he shrugged his shoulders when he was asked what caused his dog’s injuries. A 14-year-old boy who was also at the residence when officers told police that Oliver brought his dog to that location to fight another family member’s dog.

The boy went on to tell police that Oliver was not only present during the dog fight but also encouraged the dogs to fight. The boy went on to tell police stated that all Oliver does is fight dogs, the criminal complaint stated.

Milwaukee police transported the dog to MADACC where a doctor there had an opportunity to examine and treat the dog. The doctor observed both old injuries as well as fresh injuries and opined that the injuries on the dog are consistent with intentional dog fighting, the complaint said.

Oliver has been charged with instigating fights between animals and could face up to a year-and-a-half in prison if he is convicted.